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There was admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.